If you’ve been keeping up with the news, you would know that just yesterday (24 Feb), an explosion occurred at Tuas which sent eight workers to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).
According to CNA, the Commissioner for Workplace Safety and Health (WSH), Mr Silas Sng, had just announced that three workers had passed away from their burn injuries.
Thankfully, two workers have been discharged while the other five remain in critical condition.
The initial investigations done by the organisation have revealed that the explosion was due to a combustible dust explosion. The dust, in potato starch powder form, came from one of the materials that the company used for its product.
As Mr Sng said to Todayonline, “The dust can be generated during the transfer of these powders… And, over time, the dust can accumulate in the environment, especially if the ventilation of the housekeeping is inadequate.
“And when the dust comes into contact with a source of ignition, an explosion will occur, as we saw in this accident.”
The industrial building which suffered the blast was Stars Engrg, which engages in the business of fire protection and manufactured insulation pipes.
Mr Sng expressed concern over the incident, urging “all companies undertaking similar operations involving combustible materials in powder form to review the safe procedure to minimise, especially to their housekeeping, as well as their ventilation system to ensure that dust does not accumulate within an enclosed environment.”
He vowed, “We must do all that we can to prevent the further loss of life.”
The Day of The Blast
Mr Sohel, a Bangladeshi national, was asleep in the dormitory on the third floor when the blast happened. Similarly to other witnesses, he saw workers with burns on their legs crying after he had run out from the building.
Many workers in the nearby area were shocked by the explosion and quickly evacuated. Unfortunately, not all escaped unharmed.
The unit opposite Stars Engrg is currently held by mechanical engineering company P3 Project. Owner Mr Wong Wee Chiang, 45, said that upon hearing the explosion, he and his staff evacuated from the area.
Unfortunately, two of his workers sustained minor injuries from the explosion as well. One of them had burnt his hands and buttocks, while another was knocked to the ground by the blast’s impact.
These two workers were also taken to the hospital before the Singapore Civil Defense Force (SCDF) arrived.
The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) has also promised to strengthen engagement and enforcement with the industrial sector
Click here to read more eyewitness accounts of the tragic incident.
Feature Image: sfam_photo / Shutterstock.com
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